Shadow Tyrants (Oregon Files 13)

“A lot of moving parts on this mission.”

“I haven’t met the new member of the crew yet.” He was referring to Raven, who was sitting toward the rear of the plane with MacD, Murph, and Linc. “She a good fit?”

“The Chairman’s got an eye for talent,” Eddie said, rising out of his seat. “In fact, we couldn’t be doing this op without her. Juan and I came up with a doozy this time.”

He walked back to Murph, who was intently peering at his laptop, and sat next to him. The rest of the team gathered around.

“Sorry we didn’t have time for a briefing before we left,” Eddie said, “but we had a lot of things to take care of so the Oregon could get on its way quickly.”

“I hear we’re going to a party,” Hali said.

Eddie nodded. “Some of us. This is a very exclusive event. The cream of Indian society will be there. Serious invite only. Kevin, you got hold of one of the invitations, right?”

Kevin nodded and held up a gold

-embossed card. “Found a photo of one online and created a replica before we left the ship. People really should be careful about what they share on social media.”

“Who’s the invitee?” Linc asked.

Eddie looked at Raven, who stared back at him before she said, “Not me.”

“Yes, you. Murph, show us the photo.”

Murph turned the screen and showed them a picture of a beautiful Indian woman in a sari. She bore a striking resemblance to Raven.

MacD almost spit out the gum he was chewing. “Wow! That your sister?”

Raven leaned toward the screen. “Who is she?”

“That hottie is Kiara Jain,” Murph said. “Rising Bollywood star who has been in America for the last few years trying to build a career in New York and Los Angeles. Didn’t go as well as she wanted, so she just returned for her big comeback on the Mumbai entertainment scene.”

Raven frowned at Kevin. “So that’s why you took my measurements before we left the Oregon.”

“I’ve brought a stunning turquoise gown for you,” Kevin said.

She looked back to the screen. “I’m not the same kind of Indian, but I do look a little like her, I guess.”

“I have everything I need to transform you into her double. By the time I’m done with you, her own boyfriend wouldn’t recognize the difference.”

“Boyfriend?”

Eddie patted MacD on the shoulder. “Meet your temporary beau, Cole Randle. Dumb as a post, but his pretty face makes up for his lack of talent.”

“Thanks a lot,” MacD said.

“Is someone named Cole Randle really her boyfriend?” Raven asked.

“No,” Murph said, “but I’ll hack into the Internet Movie Database and create a few ultra-low-budget films for his résumé in case anyone checks.”

“No one over here will know if you picked up a new himbo from Hollywood,” Linc added.

“I’ve already come up with a few titles for Randle’s craptastic action movies. They’re all straight-to-video. Maximum Justice. Fatal Force. Time to Impact.”

“Hey, Ah’d see those,” MacD said.

“I’ll be playing your U.S.-based manager,” Eddie said, “and Linc is typecast in the role of well-muscled bodyguard.”

“Wait a minute,” Raven said. “I don’t even know what she sounds like.”